A
centre for arts and crafts, which encomposses all aspects of art,
from puppet making to brass idols to photography. This centre strives
to promote Indian culture by popularising handicrafts. Also they
are a platform for talented artists, both folk and contemporary,
to widen their audience base and sell their products. Manasthala
also uses art as a medium for propogating messages like garbage
disposal, awareness about health issues and environment concerns,
for
which the trust conducts workshops in rural areas. Some of the activities
of the trust are 'adopting' a village and helping them produce and
sell a traditional handicraft. Manasthala also acts as a resource
centre for all forms of art, assisting in research into indegenous
arts.
Manasthala, housed in a colonial building on Cenotaph Road, has
a relaxed air for one to just stroll around and enjoy the handicrafts
that are displayed for sale. A place to remind ouselves of our glorious
traditional heritage.
This trust, started and run by Kalyani Promod Balakrishnan
five years ago, conducts frequent workshops on handicrafts, puppetry,
clay modelling, origami (Japanese art of paper folding) etc. An
Origami club is also proposed after the success of their origami
workshop. Recently a puppet workshop was conducted by the trust,
where puppet artists from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu converged
and conducted shows for the public. This was organised to popularise
and promote this dying art.
No, its not a new phrase. Its reality when you shop at Amethyst,
a 100 year old building, that was a former retreat for the Jeypore
princes. Renovated and converted to a boutique, it provides you
a truly 'royal' shopping experience. Amethyst was started in March
2000, by Kiran Rao, whose family owns the place. This boutique
was initially started to maintain the palace, but has gone a long
way in providing shopper's an interesting range of products.
One could say that they sell everything under the sun. Antiques,
curios, sarees, apparel, quilts, bed spreads, carpets, furniture,
food items like honey and ghee, jewellery, diamonds, semi precious
stones.... the list is endless and impressive. Most of the items
are from across the country, giving cutomers a wide choice. Some
of the novel products are cutlery made of buffalo horn and electroplated
nickel silver ware. The clothing and jewellery section showcase
works of talented designers.
An interesting section is the flower shop where one can find Australian
flowers like King Proteus and Australian Panksia
(which seems to stay fresh forever!) among other flowers
and orchids that are specially brought from Bangalore. The flowers
are sold here as arrangements along with vases. Some of the flowers
are Tiger Lily, Calla Lily and Sunflowers. Amethyst
also has a nursery.
Some portions of the huge mansion are converted into exhibition
halls and have become a regular jaunt for art and photography exhibitions.
Some fashion stores also choose Amethyst as their venue for exhibitions,
especially for its ambience and old world charm.
Address: Amethyst at Sundar Mahal, 14 Padmavathi
Road(off Llyods Road), Jeyapore Colony, Gopalapuram, Chennai - 600
086.
Phone: 8203582
9:53:24 AM 
A
centre for arts and crafts, which encomposses all aspects of art,
from puppet making to brass idols to photography. This centre strives
to promote Indian culture by popularising handicrafts. Also they
are a platform for talented artists, both folk and contemporary,
to widen their audience base and sell their products. Manasthala
also uses art as a medium for propogating messages like garbage
disposal, awareness about health issues and environment concerns,
for
which the trust conducts workshops in rural areas. Some of the activities
of the trust are 'adopting' a village and helping them produce and
sell a traditional handicraft. Manasthala also acts as a resource
centre for all forms of art, assisting in research into indegenous
arts. 
This trust, started and run by Kalyani Promod Balakrishnan
five years ago, conducts frequent workshops on handicrafts, puppetry,
clay modelling, origami (Japanese art of paper folding) etc. An
Origami club is also proposed after the success of their origami
workshop. Recently a puppet workshop was conducted by the trust,
where puppet artists from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu converged
and conducted shows for the public. This was organised to popularise
and promote this dying art.
